Florida gets defensive while rebuilding via transfer portal

Updated Oct. 21, 2021 11:31 a.m. ET

Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida might have its best defensive team in nearly a decade, an experienced group that seems to fit perfectly with coach Mike White’s style.

White added three defensive stalwarts via the NCAA transfer portal, led by two-time Big South defensive player of the year Phlandrous Fleming and Summit League defensive player of the year Brandon McKissic, to bolster a lineup the Gators believe will be able to compete in the stacked Southeastern Conference.

Throw in returning shot-blocker Colin Castleton and Boston College transfer CJ Felder, and the Gators could have their best collection of defenders since Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather, Will Yeguete and Patric Young ran roughshod through the league in 2014 and advanced to the Final Four.

“We have size, speed, mentality, which is one of the biggest things, and a chip on our shoulder,” Felder said. “We have guys with accolades, but we don’t care about the accolades. We just genuinely like playing defense and really give our best effort on that end of the floor.”

Florida’s Wilbekin-led foursome was years in the making, a testament to patience and development under then-coach Billy Donovan.

White didn’t have the same luxury. He turned to the burgeoning transfer portal to revamp a team that finished 15-10 last season and failed to get past the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend for the third straight postseason.

Guards Tre Mann and Scottie Lewis turned pro, drafted 18th and 56th, respectively. Shooting guard Noah Locke, forward Omar Payne, backup point guard Ques Glover and reserve forward Osayi Osifo transferred in hopes of finding more prominent roles elsewhere.

White also lost his top two assistants, with Darris Nichols getting the head job at Radford and Jordan Mincy taking over at Jacksonville. White hired Oklahoma State's Erik Pastrana and Florida Atlantic's Akeem Miskdeen to replace them.

As for Florida’s roster, White believes he upgraded several spots by adding leading scorers from three teams.

Fleming led Charleston Southern in scoring (20.1), rebounding (7.4) and steals (33) last season. McKissic averaged 17.2 points for the University of Missouri-Kansas City while shooting 50.8% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range. Myreon Jones led Penn State with 15.3 points a game.

But it’s the other end of the court that might see the biggest boost.

“I think to this point it’s safe to say we’re going to be pretty athletic defensively,” White said. “We’ve got some guys that can move their feet and we have some veteran defenders. Does that necessarily mean you’re going to be really good defensively? I hope so. I don’t know that, but I hope so. I like our ceiling defensively.”

MORE TRANSFERS

The core of Florida’s team already included three transfers: Castleton (Michigan), point guard Tyree Appleby (Cleveland State) and forward Anthony Duruji (Louisiana Tech). Appleby averaged 11.3 points and 3.3 assists last year. Castleton averaged 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

FRESH FACES

Although White filled most of his holes with transfers, he also brought in two freshmen. The class includes five-star recruit Kowacie Reeves, a 6-foot-6 guard who averaged 27 points and 9.9 rebounds as a senior at Westside High in Macon, Georgia. Guard Elijah Kennedy was a late addition to the class.

COACH KEY

Forward Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed on the court and was rushed to a nearby hospital last December, is not expected to be medically cleared this season. Johnson will resume his role as “Coach Key,” helping run practices, motivate teammates and scout opponents. Johnson remains on scholarship.

“He’s very much a big part of what we’re doing,” White said.

EARLY TEST

The Gators open the season Nov. 9 against Elon, a tune-up before hosting No. 20 Florida State five days later. The Seminoles have won seven straight in the series.

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